IELTS Map Vocabulary

IELTS map vocabulary is an important part of Writing task 1 in IELTS Academic. It provides you with language, phrases and words that you can use to describe an IELTS map which, in turn, is an integral part of the Writing section.

An IELTS map question is one of the types of questions where you can score high with the usage of correct words and plenty of practice. Often, it is seen that test takers skip preparing for map questions, which often costs them a high score on the exam. So, if you prepare for it beforehand, you will certainly be one step ahead of other candidates.

Here is a comprehensive guide where we will acquaint you with the different types of questions, the structure of writing answers and how to describe locations and general and specific changes in IELTS writing task 1 map vocabulary.

IELTS Writing Task 1

It is important to have a clear understanding of IELTS writing task 1 before getting into IELTS map vocabulary and its importance.

Task 1 of IELTS Academic is a pictographic question where a chart or graph is given and you are expected to write a summary of it. It will contain a bar, line or pie graph, chart, table, map, or process. You have to outline the main features and make a comparison of the data provided in the task. 

The time allotted to finish task 1 is 20 minutes. The word limit is 150. The writing must be in a formal tone. 

The purpose of the assignment is to find out if you can select and identify the main points from the picture representation, identify trends or describe a procedure. 

The map-based questions will cover topics related to structure, descriptions of specific and general changes and descriptions of locations.   These types of questions are easy to solve if you have a good IELTS map vocabulary. Students tend to overlook map-based questions, but they are extremely scoring if done in the right way. 

Our study abroad experts guide students through the IELTS exam pattern and syllabus.

Types of IELTS Map Questions

There are three main types of map questions asked in IELTS writing task 1:

• Describing a Map in the Present Day: Your answer is to be as per the representation of the map at present. Make sure to not make any sort of comparison of older maps.

• Describing Two Maps (One in Present and the Other in Future): Your answer should be in both present and future tenses. The questions are usually based on the future developmental prospects of a city.

• Describing Two Maps (One in Past and the Other in Present): The occurrence of this type of question is frequent and you will get questions to describe features and make a comparison. The answer has to be written in both present and past tense.

Know more about IELTS Writing tasks:

IELTS Writing Task 1 Map Vocabulary

IELTS map vocabulary is words and phrases that you must memorise to perform well in the exam. The map is generally of a specific location, town, city or landscape. The question is framed in the following manner: “Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons when necessary” or “The map summarises changes in the town/city/ location. Write at least 150 words”.

To describe and summarise the map, you need to understand the words that aptly describe directions, locations and positions. To answer map-based questions, it is necessary to analyse the question first, then identify the main features, and supply suitable map vocabulary while writing the four-part answer. 

IELTS Map Vocabulary for Positions and Locations

The positions or locations have to be described using the following map vocabulary:

• Cardinal Directions: North, east, south and west.

• Intercardinal Directions: Northeast, northwest,  southeast and southwest.

• Preposition of Place: Along, clockwise, anticlockwise, perpendicular to, across, near, beside, between, next to and on

• Adverbs of Place: Inside, outside, to the left, to the right and in front of

• Verbs: Go up, go down, cross and run through

• Noun: Area, crossroad, path, site and edge

IELTS Map Vocabulary for Description

Some of the IELTS vocabulary for map that is used for the description of the visual information conveyed through the map are:

• Buildings: Demolished, constructed, built, extended, expanded, modernised, flattened, developed into, converted to and remove

• City/Town: Roadside, greenbelt, pavement, sidewalk, greenbelt, community area and zone of transition

• Area: height, high, length, long, depth, deep, width and wide

• Roads and Railways: Constructed, built and demolished

• Trees: Planted, cleared, chopped and removed

• Leisure: Developed, opened and set up

• Landscape: Canal, hedge, moor, strait, bay, stream, valley, tide, tributary and summit

Usage of Vocabulary for Maps IELTS Task 1 

You will have to use map vocabulary in sentences so that you can write a good visual description of the map questions. Here are some of the sample sentences that you can write using IELTS task 1 map vocabulary:

Structure of IELTS Task 1 Map 

As you already know, IELTS Writing Task 1 has to be summarised in 150 words. Therefore, you need to follow a particular sequence or pattern to write the question. Here, we will discuss the format of the IELTS map questions:

Paragraph 1

Paraphrase the question given in your own words. You will have to re-write the same thing but use synonyms or the IELTS map vocabulary given above.

Paragraph 2

Write two general statements about the map. You should differentiate between the two maps given here. Identify the general changes that you can see on the maps like if there are more or fewer houses on the maps. Or if the area is urban or rural?

Paragraph 3

It should contain more specific changes in the maps. You have to observe the maps minutely and write about the time and location.

Paragraph 4

Conclude the map writing task 1 with a general observation.

Evaluation Criteria for IELTS Task 1 Map

The factors that are considered for the IELTS Writing task are task achievement, cohesion and 

coherence, lexical resource and grammar. If you can be an expert in IELTS writing task 1 map vocabulary, it will be easy to achieve good scores in the writing section. Your knowledge will be tested based on:

• Use appropriate words and synonyms as per the question given.

• Use appropriate IELTS map vocabulary.

• While writing a summary of the map, the words can be repeated only if there are no suitable synonyms. Otherwise, it is always advised to use as many new words as possible to display your lexical resources.

• Use uncommon maps IELTS task 1 vocabulary to craft fresh writings.

Steps to Score High in IELTS Task 1 Map

Maps occasionally show up in the IELTS academic writing task 1. You will encounter several types of maps and the most common ones are that represent past and present and sometimes both are in past. Some maps also show future prospects of the area such as through redevelopment schemes. 

For the IELTS Map 1 task, you will require a specific vocabulary and the use of appropriate tense is mandatory. Present perfect passive voice will be required to describe change and use specific knowledge to determine the location and change. Here are some of the tried tips to score high in IELTS task 1 map vocabulary: 

• It is crucial to analyse the map well before starting with writing the answers.

• It is not mandatory to highlight all the features because of word and time constraints. 2 or 3 features can be written and described.

• Identifying key features from the map is important. Then it should be compared with the second map. Also, check the time period and features that have changed or have remained the same over time. 

• Also write a proper introduction, body and conclusion within the specified word limit.

To write a top-class answer on IELTS map task 1 you will have to master the basic vocabulary, understand what the objective of the task is, provide a full description of the features given in the map, describe the changing elements in the map and finally, it is necessary to combine all the skills in the writing to make a perfect essay.

As you acquaint yourself well with IELTS map vocabulary, it will help you well with writing task 1, so that you are supplied with the right words while writing the answers. This practice can also help you label maps in the IELTS listening task. The foremost attention should be given to not repeating words already given. With a variety of words, you will be able to better structure your essay.

Acquainting yourself with the IELTS map vocabulary will help you in writing task 1 as you will be supplied with the correct words while writing the answer. You can also use them to label maps in the IELTS listening task. What you should be mindful of here is not to repeat the same words. The greater the variety of words, the more structured your answer will be using map vocabulary.

If you have any doubts related to map vocabulary or IELTS writing task 1, write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com.!